Weather Related School Closings

Safety First

Closing school is a complicated decision that affects students, staff and families. Our schools provide students with a safe and stable place to learn. Some students rely on the school district for breakfast and lunch. Closing school may cause some families hardships related to finding childcare. Closing school is an exception and we do everything possible to keep schools open.

The primary criteria we consider when making a decision include:

The safety and well-being of students and staff

Severity of the weather (extreme cold, flooding, etc.)

Timing of weather (overnight, weekend, etc.)

The ability for buses and cars to travel safely

We continually monitor the forecast from the National Weather Service, and the superintendent meets with numerous administrators in order to make the best decision for students, staff and families. Staff members work throughout the evening and early morning each severe weather day to ensure that buses will run at or near schedule and that students will be safe. Transportation staff members work closely with bus vendors and Metro Transit to ensure the buses are ready for cold weather situations.

Making the Decision

The superintendent makes a decision after consulting with the administrative team and other stakeholders as needed. The superintendent may consult with the superintendents from other metro school districts and the Minnesota Department of Education for additional perspective. The communications department communicates it to families and staff.

Learn more in this video from Superintendent Ed Graff about how MPS makes its decisions to close schools.

Families should assume school is in session unless they are otherwise notified. In the event weather impacts school operations, Minneapolis Public Schools may cancel after-school activities, close school, or - during an emergency - dismiss early or start late. Learn more about possible scenarios.

Parents can help by making sure their contact information, as well as emergency contact information, is regularly updated with their child’s school. You can update your communication preferences (e.g., phone, email) on the School Messenger website, but you should contact your school directly to update your contact information.

If the Minneapolis Public Schools website is difficult to see, hear, read or view, please contact the MPS Webmaster at accessibility@mpls.k12.mn.us and the information can be provided to you in an alternative format.